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(No Model.) j- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. WESTON. Device for Equalizing the Arcs of Electric Lamps.

No. 240,211. Patented April 12,1881.

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('NO Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

- B. WESTON. Device for Equalizing the Arm of Electric Lamps.

No. 240,211, Patented April 12,188].

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kmmsuax \xxvuksm mm, PHOYO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD WESTON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRIC LIGHTCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

WESTON DEVICE FOR EQUALIZING THE ARC OF ELECTRIC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,21 1, dated April12, 1881. Application filed May 31, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD WESTON, of Newark,New Jersey, have invented an Improvementin Devices for Equalizing theArcs of Electric Lamps Operated in Series in the Same Circuit, of whichthe following is a specification.

My improvement, the object of which is to maintain uniform lengths ofare in a number of electric lamps operated in the same circuit, relatesto devices for eflecting at equidistant intervals the bringing togetherof all thepairs of carbons in the circuit independently of the ordinaryregulating devices contained in each lamp; and my invention consists inthe combination, with the main circuit, which includes the lamps andtheir regulators, of a resistance-circuit surrounding a circuit breakerwhich, at prescribed intervals. suddenly varies the resistance in themain circuit, and hence,

for the instant, so varies the magnetic condition of the magnets in allthe lamps that all the pairs of carbons are in an inappreciable lengthof time brought to their initial positions, and then immediately removedtherefrom by the ordinary action of the regulators in the several lamps,by which all the pairs of carbons are separated to like distances,respectively, and hence all the arcs are made 0 uniform in length. Bythis means any irregularity in the rate of combustion of the carhens inthe different lamps is corrected before there is time for anyconsiderable elon tion of any one are and consequent diminution 5 in thelength of the other arcs.

My invention also embraces certain features relating to the constructionof a circuit-breaker especially adapted for employment in thisconnection.

In the accompanying drawings and diagrams, which illustrate theconstruction of my circuit-breaker and the mode of employing it in acircuit containing several electric lamps, Figure 1 is a side elevationof my circuit- 5 breaker and an arbitrary representation of theprincipal circuit, including a dynamo-electric machine and an electriclamp, and also a representation of aderived circuit containing aresistance-coil. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of 0 the circuit-breaker.Fig. 3 is a top view of the same. Fig. 4 is a transverse section throughthe line 00 m on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectionthrough the line 3 g on Fig.

4.. Fig 6 is a diagram representing two electric lamps in the samecircuit with my circuitbreaker and a dynamo-electric machine.

My circuit-breaker consists of a bed-plate, A, to which suitablevertical standards a, a, and a are aliixed for the support of theseveral parts.

The driving'shaft B of the circuit-breaker has its journal in thestandard a, and is provided with a driving-pulley, B, by means of whichit is constantly rotated by power derived from some outsidesource. 6 5

The inner end of the main shaft is provided with a slotted crank-disk,b, to which the adjustable crank-pin b is affixed. This crankpin formsthe axis for the inipelling-pawl G, the free end of which engages theteeth in the 7oratchet-wheel c, and with each revolution of the mainshaft turns the ratchet wheel a greater or less distance, according tothe degree ofstroke which is given to the impellingpawl by theadjustment of the crank-pin in the slotted crank-disk. The ratchet-wheelc is loosely mounted upon the end of the countershaft D, which has itsbearing in the standard a.

The countenshaft D, on one side of its bear- 8o ing, is provided with afixed collar, (1, against which the loose ratchet-wheel c is placed. Anarm,d projects radially from the collar 01, and is caught by the stud c,projecting laterally from the face of the ratchet-wheel 0, as the lattorturns. 0n the opposite side of its bearing the shaft D is provided witha radial arm, D, from the end of which there projects laterally aslotted stud, D in which is inserted a brush, D composed of thin stripsof sheet metal. The counter-shaft D is free to turn in its bearings, andthe tendency of gravity is to keep it in the position where thebrush-holderD hangs downward, and it remains in that position until thearm d is caught by the stud c as the 5 ratchet-wheel c rotates. By theengagement of the stud c with the arm d the brush-holder is carriedupward,and continues to move around with the ratchet-wheel 0 until ithas been carried over the center on the top, when itis free to respondto the action of gravity and drops suddenly.

The standard a is provided with abindingscrew, E, to which one end ofthe line-wire or main circuit is aifixed, and the brush D is thereforein constant electrical connection with the machine which supplies thecurrent, which in Fig. 1 is arbitrarily represented by the letter M. Thebrush 1) bears upon the stationary cylinder F, a portion, f, of theperiphery of which is formed of wood or some other nonconductor, whilethe rest of the periphery is metal, and is electrically connected withthe standard M, to which the opposite end of the line-Wire or maincircuit is connected. It will thus be seen that the main circuit isbroken whenever the brush 1) is drawn over that part of the cylinder Fwhich is made of wood. The result is that the carbons of the lamp(arbitrarily represented by the letter L in Fig. 1) are, at the instantwhen the break takes place, brought together by the sudden weakening ofthe attractive force of the electro-magnet in the lamp, which hadtheretofore held them apart. They are no sooner brought together,however, than they are separated, because the break in the main circuitis immediately closed by the renewed contact of the brush D with themetallic part of the cylinder F. The cylinder F is made adjustable uponits axis, so that the wood f in its periphery may be adjusted to ahigher or lower position on that side of the cylinder which the brush Dbears upon in its fall from its highest to its lowest position. If thebrush D, during the first part of its falling movement, is drawn overthe wood f, the duration of the break in the circuit will be greaterthan it is when the cylinder F is so turned that the brush D is drawnover the wood f during the latter part of its falling movement. By thismeans of adjustment I am enabled to vary the duration of the break inthe circuit, and hence regulate its duration with reference to theextent to which it is necessary to weaken the force of the magnets inthe lamp or lamps. The instant the brush D after having been drawn overthe wood f, renews its contact with the metallic part of the cylinder Fthe full strength of the current is returned into the main circuit,restoring the attractive force of the electro-magnets in the lamps, andthus causing them to perform their functions of separating the carbonsto the prescribed distances.

.1 connect the two standards a and a respectively, with the oppositeends, g and g, of a derived circuit containing the resistance-coil G, inorder to prevent the extinction of the light when the circuit is broken.This mode of operation may be employed usefully in governing thecombustion of the carbons in all kinds of lamps. In Fig. l I have shownit in connection with a gravity-lamp, in which the weight tending todiminish the distance between thepoints of the carbons iscounterbalanced by the attractive force of an electromagnet constructedin accordance with the description contained in my application for apatent filed July 8, 1879.

Fig. 6, which contains arbitrary representa tions of two electric lamps,H and I, shows the method of employing my circuit-breaker (indicatedarbitrarily by the letters 0 B) for governing the lengths of the arc inseveral lamps operated in the same circuit from a single dynamo-electricmachine, (indicated arbitrarily by the letter M.)

I claim as my invention-- 1. An electric circuit including one or moreelectric lamps and a circuit-breaker, in com bination with aresistance-circuit the ends of which are respectively connected with themain circuit on opposite sides of the circuitbreaker, whereby theresistance-circuit affords a path for the current parallel with the pathafl'orded by that part of the main circuit which includes thecircuit-breaker, substai'itially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in an electric circuit, of one or more electriclamps having magnetic regulators with a continuously-operating periodiccircuit-breaker, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, in an electric circuit, of one or more electriclamps having magnetic regulators with a circuit-breaker consisting ofthe metallic cylinder F, having the gap fin its periphery, and beingelectrically connected with one end of a break in the main circuit. andthe revolving brush D electrically connected with the other end of thebreak in the main circuit, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

4. In a circuit-breaker substantially such as described, the adjustablecylinder F, in combination with the revolving brush D deriving itssupport from the counter-shaft D, and whereby it is free to'hangdownward under the influence of its own gravity, except when lifted bythe rotation of the stud c on the ratchet-wheel c, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

EDWARD WESTON.

Witnesses:

M. L. ADAMS, Geo. W. Mmrr.

